He is not lost our dearest love,
Nor has he traveled far,
Just stepped inside home's loveliest room,
And left the door ajar.

Anonymous


   In a few shorts days we will celebrate your favorite holiday with sadness in our hearts that you're not with us, but with many happy memories.
   We will tell your stories, sing your songs, laugh at your jokes, wrap our gifts with way too much tape, remember you as the cookie monster, sitting in a chair eagerly waiting for a package to open, being the last one up from the dinner table, taking a quick ten minute nap. We all thank you for all the days spent as a husband, father and grandfather.  You are loved and missed everyday!

 Christmas 2011 was very different this year.  Our sons couldn't get together on the 24th or 25th, so we had a Christmas party at our place on the 17th.  Don't know yet if I like the idea.  Getting together with our sons is always a great idea, but Christmas to me has always been family on Christmas Eve and day.  We all missed you.  I had red and green balloons that we all wrote a Christmas wish or message on and we let them float up to you.  The wishes and messages were from our hearts and Nathan wrote how much he missed his Grandpa Jake!  We all smiled and he was so upset that he misspelled your name and was concerned that you wouldn't get his balloon.  When we let them go we were all surprised at how they stayed in a group and they floated straight to you.  We reassured Nathan that his balloon was being protected by the others and that you indeed receive his messaage.  I invited my friend Mary to join us and she fit right in with our silliness.  The kids loved her.  I know that had we met Mary and Bob earlier in life we would have been great friends.  Now, it's just Mary and I.   Christine came in to spend Christmas with us and we had Christmas Eve day and a delicious dinner with MJ, Michelle and Joel.  We went to church with them and all three did a reading.  Joel is amazing! We then spent Christmas day with Tracey, Tara, Matt, Kaitlin and Nathan.  Tara made a wonderfully delicious dinner. What terrific grandchildren we have!  They remember so many things about you.
 Another year beginning today, I miss you!

  Our second Thanksgiving without you.  I saw sadness in the eyes of our sons as they looked around and didn't see you.  There is always sadness in my eyes.  As usual, I made too much food.  As with old Bob in Scrooge tasting the Plum Pudding and giving a nod to it's goodness, I waited, once again, for you to taste my stuffing and smile with appreciation and say, Well done, old girl!      Miss you!

A year ago today, MJ, Tracey and I took you to Holy Sepluchre for your final burial.  It was the most difficult thing I have ever had to do.  We were all so sad because we knew we would miss you everyday.  MJ and Tracey are doing well, you taught them to be good men, sons, husbands and fathers.  Our grandchildren are wonderful and they all miss their Grandpa very much.  You had a special connection with each one.  Matthew played football this year and you would be so proud of him.  He loves it, just as you do. His team the Kingsley Stags were undefeated.  Kaitlin and Nathan played soccer and their team was also undefeated.  So many smiles and fun games.  Joel played soccer this year and he did a wonderful job, he is going to play baseball this spring and football in the fall.  He is at the top of his class and just a joy.  You would have loved the Tigers, Lions, and M football this season.  They are so much fun to watch this year. 
   Tracey has started a baseball charter in Kingsley and is well on his way to a superior program for the kids to learn good baseball.  He dedicated the program to your memory and #20.  He has started a scholarship fund in your name for boys who can't afford to play.  MJ is looking forward to his basketball season again this year.  He is such a good person.  He thinks like you in so many ways.  He is also Dean of Students.  How proud are we?  
  My days are long without you.  My heart is sad.  Liz, MJ, Tracey and I find comfort in memories.  You still bring a smile to our faces when we remember your silly games, your goofy way of dancing, when we hear a song, see a book, hear a saying.  We will always remember you with love in our hearts.  I love you more today than the first day I met you.
Always, Shirley

Sunshine, blue sky, leaves changing colors, Michigan football.  The only thing missing is you.
Love you and miss you. 
Shirley

One year ago today at 3:50 you left us for God.  I'm not angry, I'm sad that I don't see you laugh, hear your voice, watch you, have you hold my hand, smell you, see you kid with our sons, be silly with our grandchildren, cheer on Michigan, shop for new golf shirts, enjoy my cooking, pray in church, eat blueberry panccakes, talk to Liz, reading books, playing scrabble, having a glass of wine with me.  I just miss you!  
When someone becomes a memory, that memory becomes a treasure.  You have always been my treasure.   If love could have saved you, you would have lived forever!
Always and forever,
Shirley

I love you and miss you so much. We had a family gathering yours and mine.  We missed you .  We had fun. We want to keep together.  We'll do this every year...maybe more often.  Hey, kiddo, I had so much to ask you.  It's ok!  We'll  catch up later. I love you so much!!!   Liz   xoxoxo

"There are moments in life when you wish you could bring someone down from Heaven and spend the day with them just one more time, give them one more hug, kiss them goodbye or hear their voice again. One more chance to say I love you. Copy and paste in remembrance of loved ones gone but not forgotten!" 

This came from a friend on Facebook who has also lost parents and I can't agree more with this sentiment.  Miss you every, Dad...we all do!

Love-MJ, Michelle, & Joel


    Our 45th wedding anniversary. Some people say, a very long time to be married.  I say, not enough time with you.
       Love always,   Shirley

Hi Jack,  Miss you so much and thinking of you on your birthday!  Love Lizzie

Eight months and forty minutes today.  Liz and Bob left this morning for a wonderful vacation and time spent together.  Tracey is coaching Matthew's baseball team and Kaitlin's and Nathan's T ball team.  Yes, they are on the same team.  MJ is graduating this Saturday with his EDS.  Christine and I are going to CMU for the commencment.  How proud are we of our sons?  Michelle has been accepted to Oakland and CMU for her doctoral.  Again, how proud!  Joel is playing soccer and MJ is coaching.  I love our sons and the life they have made for their families.  You taught them well.   I miss you!

  Hi Jack, 
     Life goes on, but not very well, without you.  It's dark and gloomy with another burst of snow predicted for tonight and tomorrow.  So much has happened to me since you left us. I'm losing strength.  I need your hug and you telling me everything will be okay.  I need you to make me laugh.  I need a hug.  How did we ever get here? I heard today from a very young boy, that no one is old in heaven, no one wears glasses, is in pain and everyone is happy.  Sounds like the place I want to be.  I pray that you are painless, happy, and above all WARM. I filled out a NCAA bracket sheet for you, but like you, I'm way off base. I had fun doing it with MJ and smiled when I was out in the first round.  You will be happy to know that our little Joel, boy wonder, informed me that he (and he made his own choices) has 24 wins.  Our other grandchildren are doing great.  Matthew is so tall and looking more like a teenager everyday.  Kaitlin is doing great in school and still dancing and singing and making everyone smile.  Nathan is so good looking, smart and so much like you.  Sam will be graduating this year.  Wow!  You would. and I'm sure you are. so proud of our sons.  They are terrific husbands, fathers and sons.  We did something right, didn't we?  Christine has finally retired and moved back to Michigan.  She is very happy about the move.  You will be seeing Mary Ellen soon.  I think it's her time to be with God.  Our wonderful Liz is doing fine.  She misses her big brother so much.  She has Bob with her and he is such a comfort for her.  As we have always said about him, what a nice man.  I guess I'll go for today, I'm so lonely without you.  I sleep with your crazy hat, I wish it was you.
Love Always,  Dink

Dear Jack,  You left us six months ago today!  I miss you so much!  Love, Lizzie

Jack,
    Five months and eighteen days and I miss you every minute of every day.  I miss having dinner with you, I miss you holding my hand, I miss talking to you, I miss your laugh and your silly sense of humor. When something happens during the day I still think that I have to tell Jack, only you're not home anymore. 
   I love more than ever.

Dear Dad –

I know that you would find this gathering today annoying.  You never did want anyone to make much of a fuss.  Well, my friend, while we are saddened by your absence, we are here to celebrate all that you gave to those around you.  So, prepare to be fussed over.

We hardly had a family get-together, large or small, that didn’t include the phrase “for a dollar and your ascension to the next plateau.”  This was followed by a question about any topic rolling around in your head.  If, by chance, one of us knew the answer to your question about the first film Ingrid Bergman ever starred in or who wrote an obscure poem from the 1800s, we achieved the next plateau, but never got the dollar.  He’d smirk and hold out until the next time.  We never did see the cash.

In almost every piece of literature, one of the characters inevitably is the trickster.  That was you.  You lovingly teased and tricked all of us, whether it was introducing yourself as “Phil” to folks you met who didn’t learn your real name for months on end or ordering a “chabliss” or “merlott” when out to dinner, confusing the poor server who, many times, had to ask if they served this new type of wine.  You regaled us with tales of Ralph Roisty-Doister, code name for a bungling, athletically-challenged individual.  

Athletically, you blessed us with the competitive drive to succeed.  You knew so much about football and basketball, but baseball was your sport.  You loved playing, moving from baseball to slow-pitched softball over the years.  I remember watching you play at the Bean Field and Softball City.  You played for three weeks on a broken leg before you decided to get it checked out.  The funniest was watching you gracefully maneuver the little motorized cart through Meier’s grocery store; the smallness of the cart and largeness of the cast made for some fantastic driving!  

The intensity you brought to your own sports was passed onto us.  You made us want to be better athletes.  You pushed us because we wanted to meet the expectations that you set.  I know that nothing made you prouder than watching Tracey play college baseball.  He turned out to be not too shabby a player at your position…catcher.  The work ethic that we witnessed, whether sport or occupation, said much more than mere words would ever say.

Even though you came across as gruff sometimes when you coached us, we always knew that you wanted the best for us and from us.  It was hard to see then, but it is clear as day now.  You coached a good number of our teams and happily helped the young players like the one who would leave drills to pull out a half-chewed, brownish apple for a quick snack before running back onto the floor.  We have great memories of weeknight baseball games at McClumpha Park in Plymouth and of “A League” basketball at East Middle School, your coaching scowl firmly in place.

Your love of coaching led to a successful coaching career at Salem HS where you were able to help a whole other group of athletes get better.  I know that you had a fantastic record because you often reminded me how much better your coaching record was than mine.  I’m still not sure I can top it!  

When Mom, your soul mate, started working as a preschool teacher, you loved going in and seeing all of the little yippers running amok.  I know, too, that you were so proud of the work that Mom did and continues to do teaching her young students.

Dad, you spent your life trying to take care of everyone from your wife and kids to your grandkids, your sister, your nieces, your friends.  You were the only man I know who had his own theme song!  You did yourself and your family proud.  I wish you the peace that you so richly deserve, complete with your baseball scoresheets, your trains, your Sherlock Holmes novels, and your gin cards.  You truly were the greatest guy we know.  We love and miss you.  Thank you for all of the wonderful years.

Love-Your family and friends

Hi Jack:  All the snow we are having reminds me of our springer spaniel,Flush, pulling us on our sled when we were little kids.  She had a special harness to make it easy for her.  We loved it and we loved skating at the neighborhood ice rink.
I love you and miss you so much.  Liz

Jack You were fun to play baseball with when we were kids.  I had to play school with Liz in order to get her to play baseball.  Sorry I hit you in your own backyard.  Playing kick the can on the corner. It was fun just thinking about what we did as kids.  Enjoyed talking to you when you give me Liz's phone number.  Looked for pictures of all of us but as I was looking, I realized we didn't take any then.  It sounds like you stayed the same, a big tease Your family will miss you a great deal.  I have thought of you often especially when your address was not in the phone book anymore.  Thanks for being just you all these years.    Love,   Marg Smith McClenaghan

Hi Jack:  Life goes on , but I think of you every day. You are missed so much. 
Your very favorite time , Christmas, is almost here.   Love you especially now, your sister...Lizzy

Burial at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery on October 23, 2010.  Loving family and friends attended. Many memories and stories were exchanged and many laughs shared about a wonderful son, brother, husband, father, uncle and grandfather.

Jack, 
    I have loved you longer than I can remember and I miss you every minute of every day.  I miss your spirit, humor, passion and companionship.
    Your love and pride in our sons made them into the special men they are today.  They, along with our daughters in law and fantastic grandchildren, are my support.
   Our best friend, Christine. is sad to lose her birthday buddy but, like you, is full of love, humor and spirit,  She remains in our family forever.
   Your sister (my sister) Lizard, like me, keeps remembering.  We have so many memories to choose from.  As we have always said about Bob, he is the perfect person for Liz, kind, caring and a gentle comfort for her and me.
   I don't want to leave you here, but I know I have to.
   As we have always said to each other, have a good sleep and I will see you in the morning.
   I love you.
              Shirley

Grandpa,
     If I could rewind time, I'd bring you back
     I'd bring you back to the time when it didn't matter the time of day or the day on the calendar
     I'd bring you back to the last time you called me peanut
     When all I was, was a little girl sitting on your lap
     I'd bring you back to Grandma, I'd bring you back and never let you go
     I'd bring you back to the times you won at scrabble
     I'd bring you back to the last hug I gave you 
     I'd bring you back and never let you leave

    I love you - Samantha

Hey Grandpa...
 I had a fire this weekend and i watched the stars and i thought of you.. I remember all the times you and granma came over.. Grandpa i miss you soo much..
  I love you.

It's our kind of day.  Raining, dark and gloomy.  The perfect day for a glass of wine and a game of scrabble.  I miss you!
Shirley

Hi Jack;  I miss you so much!  Love  Lizzy xoxoxo

Dear Jack, I would like to recognize you here today as a devoted family man and loving husband whose life centered around those that you loved the most.
You have been Shirley's love, her friend and partner in this life. You earned the love and respect of your sons by your participation in their lives as they grew up. I do believe that the title of "Grandpa" was a badge of honor that you wore proudly every day. You will be missed as well by those of us who had the pleasure to know you as a friend. Godspeed.

To the Ewald Family,
The world has lost one of it's most colorful characters. Jack was one of the most down to earth, funny, and easiest guy's to talk to that I have ever had the pleasure to meet and grow up with. I don't think our family functions were ever with out Jack and Shirley. They were part of our extended family and will always be. Thanks for all of the great times playing softball and for just being Jack! It has truly a pleasure having you and Shirley as our friends. Now God has pleasure of putting up with you, he will have his hands full... Thanks and God Bless the entire Ewald family!

Hello, Jack!  My darling brother!  We shared so much the past 77 years...so many memories.  I'll miss you, kiddo.
I loved the long phone calls the past five years. We always closed with "I love you".
Thank you for protecting me when I needed protecting.  Thank you for my "sister", Shirley, and for my two wonderful nephews, M.J. and Tracey.
Michelle and Tara are so special.  Your grandchildren are beautiful in every way.
Remember our high school days..Frankie Laine, Peggy Lee, Nellie Lutcher, and "Sweet Charity" (Hey, Big Spender).
More recently we talked about seeing "Jersey Boys".  
Oh, and don't forget the crispy fries at Cregars after school.
Love you forever...Lizzy

It was a very special treat for me to have known Jack. He was a charming man and a first-rate brother-in-law!

Our sincere condolences to the entire Ewald family. We met Jack and Shirley briefly and enjoyed his company and wit. God bless.

Our thoughts and prayers are with you as you remember your husband, dad, and grampa.  A wonderful, interesting man indeed.

When thinking of Jack so much over the last week two words constantly came to mind, pride and dedication. Jack always seemed so proud of his family, Shirley, his two sons and their families. Especially all of the grandkids. He also seemed to be endlessly dedicated to everyone who was close to him in his life. What better attributes can a man have? Seeing Jack at family gatherings was always a lot of fun. There was always something to be learned and some great family stories too. Jack you will be truly missed....

My thoughts and prayers are with the Ewald family.  May you find comfort in wonderful memories...

Grandpa..I miss you soo much.I can remember all the times you and grandma came over for dinner and we would sit and play Scene It..I always wanted to be on your team and you would fall asleep half wit through and then wake up and shoot out the right answer just in the nick of time..I can remember coming to your house in canton and going out to eat and watching the parent trap at least 1000 times. memorizing the whole movie.and then  going to Farmer Grandpa.. That was so much fun.. Remember my first homecoming dance? You gave me my first corsage. I was the best looking girl there. Grandpa I am going to miss you so much. I love with all my heart. You are the best grandpa a girl could ask for. 
  Love Samantha

Jack, I want you to know that you were the best father-in-law a girl could ask for.  I love you deeply. Our summer BBQ chicken picnics will always be a memory of you!  We will all miss you so much!

        What do you say to a wonderful husband, best friend, constant companion and soul mate except thank you for forty four years of love, laughter and tears.   You have given me two wonderful sons and in turn they have given us two families that have made our lives complete.  It is so much fun to see our five grandchildren with Grandpa's traits and interests.   
          Isn't is funny how we never thought of age?   You were always so young and eager to learn new things, always ready for a new adventure, who ever thought of age?   God has always been so good to us and now it's your time to be with him.  
                                        Missing you terribly and loving you always,
                                                           Shirley

Hi Grandpa. I hope you are doing well in Heaven. You were always there for me when I needed something and you were the best Grandpa any Grandchild could ever have.  Say hi to "Badger" for me.  Love, Matthew

Jack to my Best Friend, Birthday Buddy, Co-worker and all around Great Guy.
Every time I see a legal pad or felt pen I will think of you! You always had to have at least 25 or more.  
I will have my photos of the three of us on our Adventures throughout the New England and Southern States.  Always up by 7:00 AM ready to meet the new day!  We saw so much and had so much fun!  Eating, drinking & laughing a lot! I learned so much from you about the Civil War, trains, baseball, football & singing! Your favorite song to get everyone going "Ringo".  
I will miss you very much!  I still have our Shirley and your wonderful sons, daughters-in-law & grandchildren.  I have wonderful memories Harsens Island, backyard cookouts, concerts, U of M football games, listening to the bands, baseball & soccer games.  You are the only person I knew that had so many uniforms and jackets!  The retail & specialty stores are going out of business! 
I know how much you loved our history and I plan to take our Shirley to Washington DC and we will see everything you wanted to see and we will meet at the National Cathedral and light a candle for you!  
I could go on forever so much to say over a 40 year period.  I have never had a friend like you. Everyone has told me that the mold was broken when you were born! I don't think so the acorn never falls far from the tree.  Your humor will still live on. Your sons will take care of that! 
Love You Always,
Christine aka  Cleary

We would like to express our deepest sympathy to the Ewald family.  May God bless you and be with you.

My uncle Jack truly was the "Greatest Guy I Know."  Some of the most cherished childhood memories that I have were spent with my Uncle Jack and Aunt Shirley.  I would like to think that they obtained a lot of their wonderful parenting skills from the times they spent with me before they were blessed with my two cousins, M.J. and Tracey.   Uncle Jack took me to so many fun places as a young kid.  I was always excited when he and Aunt Shirley would pick me up and take me on my next "new adventure."  I enoyed all of the "company" baseball games I attended, and remember how proud I was when he would stand at the plate with his large intimidating stance, and hit the ball out of the ball park.  One of my fondest memories was him teaching me to fish.  He and Aunt Shirley took me to a picnic at his friend Harry's horse farm in Manchester one summer day.  There was lots of great food, games for kids, and a fishing contest.  There were only young boys entered, but my uncle handed me his fishing pole, showed me a good spot, and said, "get out there and catch some fish."  Much time passed, and I didn't get any bites.  When I was just about to give up, I felt a giant tugging on my line.  I started to panic, and as I looked around, I saw my Aunt and Uncle coming to see how I was doing.  I was screaming and shouting that I got something!  My uncle ran up and talked me through reeling in my "big catch."  When all was said and done, I had caught not only my first fish ever, but it was a 15" Small Mouth Bass, and I had won the fishing contest.  I beat the boys, and was my uncle ever proud of me!  Of course, he wouldn't be my Uncle Jack without having to take the credit; he was quick to remind me in all of my exuberance that it was he who taught me to fish, and he who picked out the spot where the fish would be biting.  When they brought me home that evening, after my uncle had cleaned the fish to eat, I insisted that my mom wrap it and put it in the freezer.  I was not about to eat my "prized possession."  That fish stared at me and my family members every time one of us opened the freezer, and after several months my mom finally talked me into removing it from the freezer.  The whole fishing story is a memory that I think of often, and have related over the years to family and friends.  I have many more memories of my uncle, but I think I will save some to fondly think of when I reflect back on my time with him.

Aunt Shirley, I love you, and you are as big a part of all my memories as is Uncle Jack.  M.J. and Tracey, you know what a wonderful dad you had, and I know too, because I experienced it first hand.  I love you, Uncle Jack!

My childhood memories are not complete without remembering being with Uncle Jack  and the times we  spent snowmobiling, on the horse farm, at the State fair, old time saloon, baseball games and swimming in the bay. He was the guy who knew everything and always had a funny song or skit.Here's to the "greatest guy we know...Uncle Jack!" love always, Beth

You were a wonderful teacher, coach, friend, and, most of all, dad.  Thank you for all of your silly jokes, your questions and "ascension to the second plateau," and your love.

We will miss you.  We love you.

OBITUARIO

Martin "Jack" Ewald

5 junio, 1932 – 5 septiembre, 2010

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